Target trap



Nov. 6, 1934. w, J, SUTCLIFFE 1,979,502

TARGET 'TRAP v Filed Jan. 25, 1955 Patented Nov. 6, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT orFicE Application January 25,

l Claim.

My invention relates to improvements in target traps for marksmen, and the object of my improvement is to provide means in such a device as will permit its target carrying frame and members to be adjustably tilted and secured laterally as additional to the usual means for tilting it adjustably longitudinally, and whereby the operation is perfected in increasing the latitude of variations in directing targets in unforeseen directions.

This object I have accomplished by the means which are hereinafter described and claimed, and which are illustrated in the accompanying drawing, it being understood that various modifications in the details of construction and arrangement of parts of the improvement and its connections may be made without departure from the principle and scope of the invention as defined in the following claim.

In said drawing, Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a target trap of a well known construction, containing my improvement, and with parts sectioned or broken away. Fig. 2 is an enlarged detail perspective View of the speciric laterally tiltable joint of my invention, as combined with the longitudinally tiltable joint of such an apparatus as disclosed in Fig. 1.

The numeral 1 denotes a plank upon which a metallic base block 2 may be mounted, the latter having an upwardly opening socket to receive the depending shaft 4 of a rock-body 3. The latter has at opposite ends holes to receive therethrough respectively pintle-bolts 5 and 6 carrying terminal securing nuts.

The numeral 12 denotes the U-shaped frame of the target carrying mechanisms having on its lower member at or near one end longitudinally spaced projections 16 and 13 both apertured in alinement at their tops to receive the end parts of a iixed rod or bearing shaft 11. Another rockbody 8 has at its top spaced lugs 9 and 10 also apertured in alinement with their apertures traversed loosely by the shaft 1l, which provides a laterally adjustable hinged connection permitting lateral rocking adjustments to the frame 12 as desired, and to be secured in any such adjustments as follows.

The pintle-bolt 5 traverses a hole in the rock body 8 and serves as a pivot or hinge therefor for longitudinally tilting, the body 8 having an arcuate slot 'l traversed by said pintle-bolt 6 whose end nut permits the body 8 to be secured in an adjusted position longitudinally together with the superincumbent frame 12.

As shown in said Fig. 2 the iixed projection 13 p on the frame 12 is also a depending member having its lower end widened with an arcuate slot traversed by an end part of a threaded stein 14 fixed in the abutting end wall of the rockbody 8, and secured by an end nut, when the 1933, Serial No. 653,381

frame 12 has been laterally tilted to a desired degree 0n the hinge shaft 11.

The mechanism mounted on the frame 12 has not been specifically described, being conventionally represented as adapted for imparting rocking movement of a rock-shaft 1'7 which has a target carrying arm or member 18 functioning in the usual manner.

The combination of my additional laterally tiltable hinge means at l1 between the rockbody 8 and the frame 12, permits both the tilting of the frame 12 and with it thel target carrying arm 1S, whereby the planar part of the arm which supports a target is more or less inclined laterally. This changed inclination of the target carrier allows it to discharge the target at different levels relative to the earth, whereby an additional variation is introduced into the fortuitous or unforeseen delivery of the target, simulating more closely than in other devices the varying flight of a bird in direction above the ground as well as in unforeseen direction in a horizontal plane away from the apparatus. The two adjustments thus afforded for the frame and its carrier 18 perfect the function of the same from the standpoint of a marksman, who desires opportunity for the utmost exercise of his skill as shown in entirely unforeseen emergencies.

Having described by invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

In a target carrying and delivering apparatus, in combination, a relatively fixed body having a vertically hollowed seat, a horizontally rockable basal support having a depending central spindle mounted in said seat, a U-shaped frame spaced above said basal support and having on its lower member a transversely arranged xed hanger provided with an arcuate transverse slot in its lower part, the upper portion of said basal support being vertically flattened diametrically, the lower member of said U-shaped frame having a part adjacent to said hanger diminished to be a pintle, a plate longitudinaly apertured at its upper end to be dependingly swingingly hung on said pintle, the forward edge of said plate having a fixed and threaded pin therein traversing the slot in said hanger, means on said pin for adjustably securing the hanger to said plate to permit said frame to swing laterally adjustably, the rear end of said plate having a pivotal connection to the iiattened part of said basal support to permit the plate and said frame to swing vertically thereon, the forward part of said plate having a slot curved radially relative to said pivotal connection, a b'olt loosely traversing said plate and the said latter slot, and fastening means adjustably mounted on said bolt to secure the plate on the basal support in a desired position of upwardly tilted adjustment.

WILLIS J. SUTCLIFFE. 

